Sigmund - The Infernal Uprising

Chapter Six - The Master and Expert

Author's Note: First off I'd like to thank everyone for their support so far, you guys are awesome! :D 

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  As they traversed the plains of the East they began to notice thick black smog rising in the distance. Before long they were in sight of Ikol, only the entire fortress was aflame and in ruin. The place governed by an entire swarm of fiends. Baldr’s eyes widened, “What is this?” He said before turning to face them in anger, “What is this!?” He exclaimed before charging forward, running down the hill and bursting into the collapsing building searching desperately to find Sayuri and the others. In anger he unsheathed his blade and charged forward with a battle cry, cutting down several fiends along the way.

  Baldr dashed up the stairs and into the rightmost room before dropping his weapon. He had found Sayuri, broken and lifeless before him. He fell down to her, picking her up in his arms, tears streaming down the sides of his face as he looked into her eyes, “You’re not really gone, are you? Please say something, anything. Sayuri?” He began to hug her tightly, her body unresponsive. “You can’t leave me here like this! Sayuri!”

  At that moment Sigmund rushed to the scene with Enoch who had found them nearby whom began to speak, “There were too many of them! The fiends, they launched an assault here! I tried my best to stop them but it wasn’t enough, forgive me.”

  Sigmund knelt down to Baldr’s level, “I’m so sorry Baldr. She didn’t deserve this, no one did. I know what it’s like to lose family, believe me I do. You’re strong, you can fight this!” He said sympathetically, gently rubbing the man’s back who continued to cry at the sight of his sister’s body. At that moment he gently put her back down, closing her eyes before standing up. Enoch looked at him emotionless, “Her death is indeed tragic. It is clear that the Valkyrie have made their move yet again, only this time on the hearts of us all. She met an ill fate but nevertheless necessary in our understanding of the Valkyrie’s motives.” He stated coldly whilst remaining static and emotionless.

Baldr turned before grabbing Enoch by his collar, “Shut up! How dare you speak of my sister like that! How dare you say her death was necessary! No one deserves to die, especially not like this!” He spat, raging with anger.

  Sigmund drew his blade, “Baldr take Sayuri, we need to get out of here or we’ll get overwhelmed!”

Baldr attempted to calm himself down before letting go of Enoch who simply smiled in return. Picking up Sayuri the three left the building to make it outside, Kyle’s body could be seen on the grass; it seemed as if the others had recovered his body in time.

The fiends had outnumbered them greatly making their way ever closer toward them. In that moment a man from behind them stepped forward, brandishing a giant claymore with a distorted figure behind him. The figure was extremely tall and skeletal like laced with a form of muscle. Before long the man raised his sword in the air as the figure flew into the battlefield, annihilating the fiends one by one, clearing out the entire fortress of any current threat. The building however couldn’t be saved and before long the fortress collapsed to the ground. The figure returned to the man before slowly fading out of existence.

  Naglfar smiled slightly whilst Enoch stood in silence as the man approached them. He wore a permutation of a shaolin robe accompanied with a long black mantle, torn at the end. The man’s hair was long and straight, the ends spiking at their tip. He looked at all of them before bowing, “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner. As soon as Styx felt the dark energy leading to this place I left at once. But, it seems I arrived too late.” The man stated with a hint of depression in his voice.

Alistair stood in awe at the man before him, “Master Falkor?”

  Falkor looked at Alistair with a stern look on his face, “I don’t believe we’ve met before boy.”

“No, we haven’t! I am Alistair, member of the Einherjar!” At that moment Falkor seemed to have little interest in what Alistair had to say before walking past to tend to Baldr who was seen crying over Sayuri and Kyle’s bodies.

  Falkor laid a hand upon the man’s shoulder in sympathy, “I truly am sorry for your loss here today. If there is anything I can do.”

Baldr summoned up the strength to reply, “You’ve done enough master, please just leave me be for now.” Understanding, Falkor stood up before withdrawing his sword onto his back. “The Valkyrie, they will pay for all of this!” Baldr said before standing up, “We must embark for the Northern Reaches immediately! Gather every soldier, we’re going to war!” He barked in rage, his mind bent on wrath and revenge.

  A voice began to speak into Falkor’s mind, “Prometheus is here. Can you feel his presence?”

Falkor replied within his mind, “Yes I feel him too not only that but he is here also. We must leave for the time being. Allow him to awaken on his own terms.”

“I agree. And, yes I know who you mean, please don’t do anything drastic.”

“It’s nice to see him once again, if you know who I mean?” Falkor said in response before he turned to the warriors.

“I must take my leave of this place, though I’m sure we shall meet again one day. Farewell.”

Naglfar turned to face them also, “I must also leave. I need to report what just happened to the Director. Your mission remains the same, locate the Valkyrie and clean up this mess!” He said before preparing to make his way toward the Eastern Gate.

Cagnazza aided Baldr in burying Sayuri and Kyle in front of the ruined building before paying their respects. “I will stay here and water the flowers for them every day. It’s the least I can do for you. I trust you’re going to the Northern Reaches?” The leader said.

“Yeah, with the Einherjar we may just win.” Baldr stated before turning toward Enoch, “You said that Valkyrie were responsible for this disaster! How do you know for sure?”

  Enoch smiled, “When Naglfar went to speak with Master Falkor I took the liberty of scouting the surrounding area and to my surprise a man bearing the Valkyrie insignia was present. Before I could do anything, he summoned the creatures that took the life of your sister! That is how I know.” Enoch replied in a harsh tone.

  Baldr’s fists clenched, “We were so close to understanding the truth! How could the Valkyrie do this to us? I swear to destroy them. I swear revenge on my sister, even if it means killing them.” At that moment in time a fleet of fish helmed soldiers arrived at their location under orders from Master Falkor.

  A guard made his way toward them, “Master Falkor has sent us in his stead, to aid you in your endeavours. He feels terrible for what has happened and so sends us, his personal army. We shall fight with you to the very end Captain!” The guard boldly stated to Baldr, saluting to him and the rest of the group.

  Baldr turned his attention to Sigmund, “Are you willing to fight alongside the Jotnar?”

Sigmund looked back into his eyes, “I will fight for the honour of your sister. Maybe we’ll capture their leader for interrogation.”

“Interrogation indeed.” Baldr replied before turning his attention to everyone, “Gentlemen, our destination is the Northern Reaches! Do not listen to the squabbles of the commoners. The land is perfectly accessible to all who wish to reach the top! We ride today, for the honour of the Eastern Territory and revenge on the terrible incidents that happened recently. We are going to war.”